The Airplane Effect…


 

For the most part, we have a want and a need to take care of others. This need is so big in fact, that many times we focus so intently on others even though we know it’s to our own detriment.
So what are supposed to do, we need to help these people, right?
Think of it this way…I call it the “Airplane Effect.”

On a plane, the flight attendant during the safety speech always says “If you’re traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, place the mask over your nose first.” Why? Because if you don’t take care of yourself first, something bad might happen to you and then you won’t be able to help them. This makes so much sense on the plane but somehow, as soon as we get off the plane and into our regular routine, what’s the first thing we do? We focus all of our attention on helping someone else and completely and totally forget about taking care of ourselves. Just answer this…Would you be able to give better advise, to understand more, to see more signals that might be being sent out and/or to facilitate more if you took better care of yourself? Of course you would! More sleep, more prayer or meditation, better nutrition or maybe just eating at all, as opposed to not eating (which is often common) all fall into the “taking better care of yourself” category.
Look, the drive to help others is an amazing and commendable trait. It’s one way we can all make the world a better place. Make sure though, that you’re not causing yourself a problem where down the line, someone just might have to take care of you. “I’m not indestructible” is a mantra we can all benefit from telling ourselves.
So…..

Do your best to take care of yourself.

Do your best to take care of yourself.

The people you are helping will thank you.
PEACE
Gregg